expectancy

noun

ex·​pec·​tan·​cy ik-ˈspek-tən(t)-sē 

plural expectancies

1

a

: the act, action, or state of expecting

the strange expectancy that getting on any train gives us

—John Updike

b

: the state of being expected

occurs with an expectancy slightly greater than usual

2

a

: something expected

their belief led to an expectancy

b

: the expected amount (as of the number of years of life) based on statistical probability

life expectancy

Synonyms

• anticipation
• contemplation
• expectance
• expectation
• prospect

Examples of expectancy in a Sentence

that feeling of optimistic expectancy that fills theatergoers as they wait for the curtain to rise

Recent Examples on the Web

Adult life expectancy is well below the OECD average, at 64 years for men and 76 for women. —Eduardo J. Gómez, Foreign Affairs, 5 Feb. 2014

Post-pandemic rebound Life expectancy is trending upward, one of several data points that indicate public health is rebounding since the pandemic. —Adriel Bettelheim, Axios, 9 Oct. 2024

In the 20th century, adult life expectancy in the U.S. increased by 30 years, 25 of which can be attributed to public health. —Arthur L. Kellermann, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024

Lyapunov exponent and survival time expectancy Jake Parks is a freelance writer and editor who specializes in covering science news. —Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 17 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing expectancy

• life expectancy

Kids Definition

expectancy

noun

ex·​pect·​an·​cy

ik-ˈspek-tən-sē

plural expectancies

1

: expectation sense 1

2

: the expected amount (as of years of life) based on statistical probability

life expectancy

Medical Definition

expectancy

noun

ex·​pec·​tan·​cy -ˈspek-tən-sē 

plural expectancies

: the expected amount (as of the number of years of life) based on statistical probability see life expectancy

Legal Definition

expectancy

noun

ex·​pec·​tan·​cy

plural expectancies

: something expected: as

a

: an interest held by a person who may receive something (as a bequest) in the future but has no enforceable right to it

b

: the benefit that will be received from a contract if performed